A show that, for some, risks turning into a nightmare.

Ladies and gentlemen, here is Paris-Roubaix , the latest 'cycling madness' with its 257.2 kilometers to cover, 54.8 of which are paved, divided into 30 sectors.

In the north of France, for almost 120 years, the history of two wheels has been made among triumphs (12 Italians including the last one by Sonny Colbrelli ), epic feats (Moser's consecutive trio or Boonen's 4 victories), the ruinous falls and the unforgettable emotions divided between mud and dust.

Tomorrow we should run in dry conditions along a path that includes the first sector of cobblestones after 96 km ( as per tradition, the sectors are numbered in decreasing order). From that moment there will be no respite. The decisive points will be that from Quiévy to S aint-Python (the longest together with number 17 with its 3700 meters, four stars), the sector that goes from Quérénaing to Maing (2500 meters, three stars), from Haveluy to Wallers (2500 meters, four stars), which will anticipate by a few kilometers the famous stretch of the Arenberg Forest , the first of the three sectors with five stars, in which it will be necessary to stay in front of the group. And then the Hornaing - Wandignies (3700 meters, four stars), Warlaing - Brillon (2400 meters), Tilloy - Sars-et-Rosières (2400 meters, four stars), Auchy-lez-Orchies - Bersée (2700 meters, four stars) and Mons-en-Pévèle , when there will be 47 kilometers to go.

In the next 25 kilometers you will encounter five sections of cobblestones: Camphin-en-Pévèle da 1800 meters (four stars) and the legendary Carrefour de l'Arbre , the third and last of the stretches with five stars of difficulty 2100 meters long.

From this point, to get to the Roubaix Velodrome, there will be only three sections of cobblestones and fifteen kilometers: here those who have legs, and those who have not been the victim of mechanical problems or falls, can still be the protagonist.

The favorites - Obviously the wait and the predictions are for Mathieu Van der Poel (Alpecin Fenix), who last year went very close to success and who will have to contend with a large group of opponents. Three blocks will try to make the race: Team Ineos has just returned from a brilliant Northern campaign and fielded Dylan Van Baarle in the role of captain followed by the young Ben Turner and Magnus Sheffield. Attention also to Filippo Ganna , considered by many to be a possible outsider due to his physical characteristics that are suitable for the race, and Michal Kwiatkowski, winner of the Amstel last Sunday.

The Jumbo Visma is no less: it has found Wout Van Aert not in perfect condition but an indisputable champion ready to have his say. His return made it difficult for the fantamanagers who had sold him before Flanders: what to do now? But do you think he will do only the 'wingman'?

And in any case, in the event that the Belgian is not 'at the top', the Dutch will play the cards Christophe Laporte and Mike Teunissen. Finally, the Quick Step , which has to redeem a disappointing month without significant results in the classics. Kasper Asgreen has never shone in Roubaix but starts with the rank of captain, right after the experts Yves Lampaert, Zdenek Stybar and Florian Senechal.

Then a series of riders who could reach their moment of glory: we would like to mention Stefan Kung and Valentin Madouas of Groupama-Fdj, Mads Pedersen and Jasper Stuyven of Trek Segafredo, Matej Mohoric and Dylan Teuns of Bahrain Victorius, Victor Campenaerts and Florian Vermeersch (second in 2021) of Lotto Soudal, Greg Van Avermaet and Oliver Naesen of Ag2R, Anthony Turgis of Total Energies, Nils Politt and Marco Haller of Bora, John Degelkolb of DSM, Alexander Kristoff of Intermarchè Wanty Gobert and Ivan Garcia Cortina of Movistar .

Italians? We certainly do not start with the underdogs, on the contrary. But in addition to Ganna, Matteo Trentin (UAE Emirates), Davide Ballerini (Quick Step), Andrea Pasqualon (Intermarchè Wanty Gobert) and Luca Mozzato (B&B Hotels KTM) can do well.

And have you deployed your formation? A few more hours and then it will be Paris-Roubaix.

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